Offset solar-powered outdoor lighting apparatus

Abstract

A solar powered yard light provides a vertical support having the lower end thereof supported by a substrate, such as the soil. A lighting element assembly having a lighting element and a diffuser secures near the upper end of the support. A collector unit secures to the support a substantial distance below the lighting element assembly and contains a battery and a solar cell for charging the battery during daylight hours. The collector unit is typically positioned flush with or below the level of foliage growing in the substrate. A light sensitive switch connects the battery to the lighting element assembly and turns the lighting element on and off depending on lighting conditions.

1 . A lighting system comprising: 
 a lighting element assembly;    a solar cell;    a battery electrically coupled to the solar cell and to the lighting element assembly; and    a support having an upper end and a lower end, the lighting element assembly securing proximate the upper end and the lower end being supported by a substrate, the solar cell and battery being coupled to the support and disposed a substantial distance from the lighting element assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a collector unit housing the solar cell and battery, the collector unit mounted to the support.  
     
     
         3 . The lighting system of  claim 2 , wherein the support is substantially straight.  
     
     
         4 . The lighting system of  claim 3 , wherein the collector unit is offset from the lighting element assembly by a distance equal to or greater than approximately 40 percent of the length of the support.  
     
     
         5 . The lighting system of  claim 2 , wherein the collector unit further comprises a fastener selectively securing the collector unit to the support in a plurality of positions.  
     
     
         6 . The lighting system of  claim 2 , wherein the collector unit selectively and rotatably support.  
     
     
         7 . The lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 light sensor electrically coupled to the collector unit and offset a substantial distance from the lighting element assembly; and    switch electrically interposed between the battery and lighting element assembly, the switch being electrically coupled to the light sensor to be selectively opened and closed thereby.    
     
     
         8 . The lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting element assembly comprises an ally coupled to the battery.  
     
     
         9 . The lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting element assembly comprises: 
 a lighting element electrically coupled to the battery;    a diffuser; and    a diffuser mount comprising 
 a diffuser receptacle receiving a portion of the diffuser, the diffuser receptacle further defining at least one channel extending from an interior boundary of the diffuser receptacle and to an exterior boundary thereof,  
 a support receiver positioned below the diffuser receptacle and receiving a portion of the support, and  
 a lighting element seat receiving the lighting element and positioned within the diffuser receptacle.  
   
     
     
         10 . The lighting system of  claim 9 , further comprising a lighting element shield substantially enveloping the lighting element, the lighting element shield defining an opening positioned substantially below the lighting element for facilitating insertion thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The lighting system of  claim 9 , wherein the diffuser comprises an ornamental figure formed of cracked glass and having an opening formed therein for engaging the diffuser  
     
     
         12 . A lighting system comprising: 
 a substrate;    a vertical support having upper and lower ends, the lower end being supported by the substrate;    a lighting element assembly secured to the vertical support proximate the upper end thereof;    a collector unit coupled to the vertical support between the upper and lower ends spaced apart from the lighting element assembly, the collector unit comprising: 
 a battery,  
 a light sensitive switch coupling the battery to the lighting element assembly, and  
 a solar cell electrically coupled to the battery.  
   
     
     
         13 . The lighting system of  claim 12 , wherein the collector unit is separated from the lighting element assembly by a distance equal to or greater than approximately 40% of the length of the vertical support.  
     
     
         14 . The lighting system of  claim 13 , wherein the lighting element assembly comprises: 
 a lighting element electrically coupled to the battery;    a diffuser; and    a diffuser mount comprising 
 a diffuser receptacle defining an opening receiving a portion of the diffuser, the diffuser receptacle further defining at least one channel creating a fluid path between the opening and an exterior boundary of the diffuser receptacle,  
 a support receiver positioned below the diffuser receptacle and receiving a portion of the support, and  
 a lighting element seat receiving the lighting element and positioned within the diffuser receptacle.  
   
     
     
         15 . The lighting system of  claim 14 , further comprising a lighting element shield substantially enveloping the lighting element, the lighting element shield defining an opening positioned substantially below the lighting element for facilitating insertion thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The lighting system of  claim 14 , wherein the diffuser further comprises a threaded portion and the diffuser receptacle further comprises a threaded surface engaging the threaded portion.  
     
     
         17 . The lighting system of  claim 16 , wherein the diffuser is made of glass.  
     
     
         18 . A method for using an outdoor lighting system the method comprising: 
 providing a lighting element assembly;    providing a solar cell;    providing a battery electrically coupled to the solar cell and to the lighting element assembly;    providing a support having an upper end and a lower end, the lighting element assembly securing proximate the upper end;    coupling the solar cell and battery to the support disposed a substantial distance from the lighting element assembly;    providing a substrate having a plurality of foliage elements extending therefrom;    positioning the solar cell and battery below or flush with the upper portions of at least a portion of the plurality of foliage elements.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein positioning the support on the substrate comprises insertion of a portion of the lower end thereof into the substrate.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the lighting element assembly is disposed a substantial distance above the upper portions of at least a portion of the plurality of foliage elements.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising adjusting the solar cell coupled to the support from a first to a second orientation.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the lighting element assembly comprises an ornamental diffuser, the method further comprising: 
 providing a second ornamental diffuser;    removing the first ornamental diffuser;    securing the second ornamental diffuser to the lighting element assembly.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein removing the first ornamental diffuser comprises unscrewing the diffuser from the lighting element assembly.  
     
     
         24 . A lighting system comprising: 
 a lighting element assembly;    a solar cell;    a battery electrically coupled to the solar cell and to the lighting element assembly; and    a support secured to the lighting element assembly, the support being supported by a substrate, the solar cell and battery being disposed a substantial distance from the lighting element assembly.    
     
     
         25 . The lighting system of  claim 24 , wherein the support is a hook and wherein the lighting element assembly is positioned below the substrate.  
     
     
         26 . The lighting system of  claim 24 , wherein the support is a base having a substantially flat lower surface resting on the substrate.